Posted on 04/05/2010 8:33:37 AM PDT by jay1949
Here's the challenge: certain words and phrases characteristic of Appalachian English in eastern Tennessee and elsewhere can be traced back to Scottish English. Some of these are disappearing; others have spread throughout the South; a few seem to be making it into widespread usage. How many do you know? 1. backset; 2. let on; 3. bonny-clabber; 4. palings; 5. redd up; 6. creel; 7. kindling; 8. hull; 9. nicker; 10. whenever. (I knew 5 of the 10, so that makes me 'bout half smart . . .)
(Excerpt) Read more at backcountrynotes.com ...
“Redneck - supporters of the National Covenant of 1638 declared that Scotland embraced democratic church governance and rejected the Church of England. Some signed in blood and wore a red kerchief around their necks”
This may have historical veracity, but I think the use of the word, “redneck” comes from the red bananas miners used in the coal mines of Appalachia.
The problem with the miner’s etymology is that it refers to declarations of union loyalty by miners in the early 20th century while the use of “redneck” for working class southerners far predates that period.
“The problem with the miner’s etymology is that it refers to declarations of union loyalty by miners in the early 20th century while the use of “redneck” for working class southerners far predates that period.”
I am not sure how far this term predates the miner’s description. I would think that during the Civil War, if the term redneck was in use, it would have been bandied about by the Union army as an insult to the Confederates. But I have never seen that term used in any Civil War writings. It may have evolved from a later 19th century usage focusing on the fact that many rural southerners literally had rednecks from working out in the hot sun. I have to look this one up. It is interesting.
I knew 7.
Thanks hennie pennie.
I scored “5” on each quiz — I guess I could have cheated and picked more words that I did know, but what fun would that be? So far I haven’t heard from anyone claiming to have gotten them all.
Where I live I hear the word “chimly” for “chimney.” “Chimly” shows up in the poetry of Robert Burns — definitely a Scottish origin.
My grandfather from Rockingham County Va died in 2000 at age 100.
He used many of those and more. I would like to see the 1st test. :)
LOL
Some of the definitions seemed different from what I know, but you might be right.
bump for later
Thanks. I got 7 of those too.
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